Stephen McKeown

     Mr. Stephen McKeown, 73 , a resident of North Wilkes-Barre, passed into Eternal Life early Sunday morning in the care of the Post Acute Specialty Hospital at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital following a lingering illness.

     Born in Newark, New Jersey he was the son of the late Francis and Anne (Turanski) McKeown.  Following his family's relocation to the Wyoming Valley, he was educated in the city schools, graduating with the class of 1963 from the James M. Coughlin High School, Wilkes-Barre.

     Steve furthered his education by attaining his license in cosmetology.   He later earned his registered  nurse status after achieving his associates degree in nursing from the Luzerne County Community College School of Nursing in Nanticoke. 

     Stephen was the husband of the former Catherine R. (Adams) McKeown who passed on October 21, 2001.  At the time of Mrs. McKeown's passing, the couple shared some thirty years of married life together. He was also preceded by a brother, Mr. Paul McKeown.

     Stephen and Catherine were not only partners in marriage; they both attained their cosmetology licenses and were former cosmetology instructors.  Later, they co-owned the Stephen McKeown Beauty Salon on Madison Street in North Wilkes-Barre, caring for countless neighborhood patrons.

     Later in life, the couple focused on their nursing ministry collectively; Stephen, served in a variety of departments at the Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, while Catherine worked at the former First Hospital Wyoming Valley as a psychiatric nurse, later assisting at various nursing homes locally.

     Left to cherish his memory are the couple's children, David P. McKeown of North Wilkes-Barre; Mara A. Maloney along with her husband Patrick of Plains Township; Michael F. McKeown and his wife Marisa of Pittston Township;  Grandchildren,  including Tyler McKeown and David McKeown Jr.;  Several nieces, nephews, former patrons, dear friends and his beloved Chihuahua Isabella and family cat, Honey.

      Memorial funeral services for Stephen will be conducted on Friday evening at 6:30 p.m. from the North Wilkes-Barre location of the John V. Morris Family Funeral Homes Inc., 625 North Main Street.

     Interment will be private and at the convenience of Stephen's family.

     Relatives and friends may join the McKeown family for visitation and shared remembrances Friday  evening from  5:00 p.m. until the time of services.

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